One thing that would leave the audience not completely sure that Othello is the spiteful man that Iago and Roderigo make him out to be is that they both have reasons for not liking him that are not his fault. Iago is annoyed with Othello because he wanted to be made lieutenant, but Othello made Cassio his lieutenant. Because of this, Iago begins to criticise Cassio and Othello’s choice in general, which makes Othello sound like an unsatisfactory leader. Still, we know Iago’s reason for disliking Othello is personal. We also know Roderigo dislikes Othello because of his marriage to Desdemona, who Roderigo obviously adores. We see that Roderigo is jealous of Othello, so we realise that his reason for disliking Othello is out of jealousy. Between themselves, unintentionally, Iago and Roderigo build up an image of Othello as quite a successful, respected figure; he is loved by the daughter of Brabantio and he is a powerful military leader.
When Brabantio first appears in this scene, there is little he says that can be held as evidence as him disliking Othello. We only see his opinion of Othello when he realises that he has married Desdemona. It is then, from his rage and feelings of betrayal, that we know he does not see Othello as fit to marry his daughter. When he discovers she is massing he says “It is too true an evil: gone she is”. She clearly shows us his anger.
In the next scene, we see Othello for the first time talking to Iago. He presents himself as a bold, honest and modest character. He says not an unkind word about anyone, so we see that he is not at all like Iago and Roderigo have described. Also, we see Iago talking away to Othello in a friendly way, even though he has said how much he hates him behind his back. When the audience see how two-faced Iago is, they realise that he is not a totally honest and moralistic character, so he becomes an unreliable source of fair and honest opinions.
Another aspect that we notice about Othello is the way he does not crack under pressure. Even though he is accused of bewitching Desdemona but he does not get openly angry or panic. He has confidence in himself which shows he is most probably telling the truth about his and Desdemona’s true love.
When Othello enters the council chamber, the Duke and Senators are discussing military matters and they refer to him as ‘valiant Othello’ which shows us their respect for him as a military leader. It is when they discover that he is going to marry Desdemona that they act less respectful towards him. They see him as military leader, not as a husband to Desdemona. Even though no reason is ever actually given for the rage at the idea of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, it is instantly assumed it is because of his race. Despite Othello’s honesty, modesty and bravery, and the fact he is an asset to Venice’s military force, he can still not be wholly accepted into the Venetian society because of his race.
When Othello begins his story of how he and Desdemona fell in love, he does not boast at all. He tells an honest account of how Desdemona began to love him for his personality, not because he had bewitched her. To protest his innocence he says to the Senate “Rude am I in my speech, And little bless’d with the soft phrase of peace”, to show that he has little charm which he could have bewitched her with. There are no extravagant claims or complications in his story so it seems unlikely that it would be untrue. We begin to see him as a truthful, modest man who is treated unfairly for his race. The speech in this scene is a chance for the audience to judge his character fairly.
So first we see Othello being presented as a disliked figure, but this is by two people with not a great amount of authority. We then meet Othello and he presents himself as a generally pleasant person. We realise nobody sees him as a fit husband to Desdemona, but as a respected military leader. Despite Brabantio, Roderigo and Iago’s efforts, Othello is presented as an innocent, honest man who is an unfortunate victim of prejudice.
Jen Stringer 10C
